During May, we honor the heritage of Asian Americans, Pacific Islanders and Native Hawaiians and celebrate their many contributions to our nation. Asian-Pacific American Heritage Month was first celebrated in 1992. But the origins of this commemoration began with Asian-Pacific Heritage Week in 1977.
According to the U.S. Census, there are 18.5 million Americans who identify as Asian, Pacific Islander and/or Native Hawaiian. They represent many diverse cultures, languages and customs that are unique to each community.
Asian Americans have a high prevalence of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, hepatitis B, HIV/AIDS, smoking, tuberculosis and liver disease. Some health conditions and risk factors that are prevalent among Native Hawaiians and Pacific Islanders are hepatitis B, HIV/AIDS and tuberculosis.
Read more on MinorityHealth.gov. Learn about the history of AAPI Heritage Month from the Library of Congress.
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